New camera system from Leica ?

[ptomsu]

For me, if it is more than €5000.- with the 28-90 "kit" lens, then I am out of the game - definitely!

 

[Vivek]

Body price SHOULD be in the $2500-4000 range IMO. This camera will compete more with the A7II more than the A7RII. The lenses should be in the $1000-3500 range. Much more than that and most (outside the Leica faithful) will most likely ignore it.

$2500 would be reasonable in comparison to the A7II. But it will not happen.

 

[Godfrey]

R Lenses got a new life and appreciation thanks to the Sony A7R and now the A7RII.

I thought that might be the case, which is the reason I bought an A7 to experiment with. And the A7 sensor did a reasonable job with most Leica R lenses, if not as good as I'd hoped with the Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8. But I found the Sony A7 camera just too clunky to like. After trying for the better part of a year and some to get used to it, I gave up and sold it. Never even wanted to touch the Sony E-mount lenses; one test in the store and I didn't like the ones I touched at all.

I decided to expand my Nikon SLR system. After playing with an F6 for a bit, adding a few lenses, and adding the D750 body, I'm delighted.

I'd planned to sell off all the Leica R gear ... two Leicaflex SL bodies, R8 body, ten lenses ... But I made the mistake of taking out the black SL and fitting the Summicron-R 90mm to it over the weekend. Can't bear to part with it ... I'll keep that body along with four lenses (19/2.8, 50/1.4, 90/2, 180/4). The rest will go.

I could equip a couple of my R lenses with Leitax Nikon mounts, but why reduce the functionality of these lovely lenses just to use them on a Nikon body? I'm perfectly happy using them to shoot on film. And I love the simplicity*and ergonomics of the Leicaflex SL body.

The new Leica SL .... I look forward to seeing exactly what it is when Leica formally announces it, then how it works, and with what lenses, etc. I'm tired of the hamster-wheel rumor speculation.

G

The camera I've been carrying most the past few weeks is a Polaroid SX-70. :angel:

 

[Knorp]

Correction: the article speculates that the camera with lens could list at three times the street price of a new Sony without lens. Leica lenses are never cheap, so the body alone might only be slightly more expensive than a Sony body.

Bernard, you're right of course.
Still, the SL with native lens makes for a steep entry fee into this new system.
Hopefully there will be adapters for M and/or R-glass.
Then it remains to be seen how it holds its ground in terms of IQ against the M-system.

Me ? I'm optimistic ...

 

[k-hawinkler]

At this time, is there anything we know for a fact? TIA.

 

[thompsonkirk]

Godfrey, are you sure this is a good time to sell R lenses? Some of them are Dr Mandler's finest achievements. IMO they render more pleasing images than any newer, more 'clinical' designs.

If I had 11 I'd keep every single one, in anticipation of newer mirrorless bodies – from Leica, if not Sony – that will let them display their fine rendering of tones.

I agree the A7 was clunky to use by hand, but now I can conveniently use the RII on a tripod. I'm more than pleased with 'middle aged' Leica and Contax SLR glass, particularly in the upper midrange and highlight zones.

Kirk

 

[doug]

Godfrey, are you sure this is a good time to sell R lenses?

If you want a better price for them sell them after the SL is introduced.

 

[algrove]

At this time, is there anything we know for a fact? TIA.

Nothing worth repeating. Just wait 2 weeks.

 

[Godfrey]

I'm in no rush, the R equipment isn't going anywhere for at least a few months. But I am trying to off-load some of the excess around here.

I can always change my mind... and often do.

Have to say, few cameras have ever been made that were as beautiful and as nice in the hand as a Leicaflex SL. Whomever did the body design did very well.

G

 

[Paratom]

I'm in no rush, the R equipment isn't going anywhere for at least a few months. But I am trying to off-load some of the excess around here.

I can always change my mind... and often do.

Have to say, few cameras have ever been made that were as beautiful and as nice in the hand as a Leicaflex SL. Whomever did the body design did very well.

G

How do you think would the new Leica SL fit in between your Nikon equipment and your Leica X (don't remember if you still own M?)
The more options popping up the more I get confused and lost.

 

[erudolph]

...
The more options popping up the more I get confused and lost.

Indeed

 

[doug]

Have to say, few cameras have ever been made that were as beautiful and as nice in the hand as a Leicaflex SL. Whomever did the body design did very well.

If a modern sensor could be put in a Leicaflex SL I'd be more than happy.

 

[Godfrey]

How do you think would the new Leica SL fit in between your Nikon equipment and your Leica X (don't remember if you still own M?)
The more options popping up the more I get confused and lost.

I'm quite happy with the M-P and D750 as my systems base, with the X for more casual use. The R system is kind of a hanger on ... If the new SL has some grand advantage, or if it provides a suitably useful R lens body, I could see trying one out. But it would have to be extremely compelling to be worth spending the money for. As said, I'd already planned to off the R kit, and at present all I intend to keep is a small set of lenses and an SL body for nostalgia's sake.

G